Childcare

DCO has a range of programs to support the availability of childcare services to Defence families, who might face difficulties in sourcing childcare.

We maintain a network of childcare centres around Australia. Children of newly-posted Defence families can receive priority of access to these centres, where the local community is unable to accommodate them.

Families facing difficulties accessing childcare, such as when they move to a new area or change their work or care arrangements, can now access an individual case management service to help them find childcare.

Defence employees can also choose to salary package childcare costs.

Childcare options

Connecting with local community is an effective way for Defence families to find other childcare options. There are often playgroups, parents’ groups or other support networks you can tap into in your local area. Call the Defence Family Helpline to access information and resources to assist you to connect with your local community.

We also provide an individual case management service for childcare placement to support ADF families when they move to a new area or change their work or care arrangements, such as when a serving member returns from maternity leave.

Specialist early learning staff from Defence childcare service provider, Mission Australia, provide support to families who need help to find appropriate childcare. They negotiate with all local registered childcare providers, including family day care and before and after school care, to ensure childcare is tailored to individual family circumstances.

The service provides parents with options that will allow them to decide which childcare service best suits their family.

It is available to all Defence families across Australia, and civilian families in some regional locations.

The placement assistance service is free. Normal childcare fees will apply for any options selected by families.

Alternatively, you can search for different childcare options in your local area at mychild.gov.au or call the government-run Childcare Access Hotline on 1800 670 305.

Salary packaging

Defence employees can choose to salary package childcare. This means sacrificing part of their future salary or wages in return for childcare benefits to the same value.

If you choose this option, you will no longer be eligible to receive the Child Care Benefit or the Child Care Tax Rebate. It is strongly recommended that you seek independent advice to determine whether salary packaging is financially advantageous for your family.

You can access more information including a list of centres that offer the salary packaging option to Defence families at www.smartsalary.com.au.

Family day care

Under our Partner Employment Assistance Program, eligible partners who run an existing family day care business can apply for reimbursement for re-registration costs (where required under state/territory legislation), if they relocate with their ADF partner to a new posting location.

Defence Childcare Centres

Defence has 20 childcare and early childhood education centres around Australia, made up of 17 long day care and four out of school hours centres, operated by Mission Australia Early Learning.

Priority of access

Defence provides priority of access to Defence childcare centres for ADF families, particularly where the local community is unable to accommodate them or they have been posted to a new location.

The childcare service provider

Defence contracts a licensed childcare service provider to manage and operate Defence childcare centres. The contract periodically undergoes a competitive tender process under Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines to determine the preferred service provider for the centres.

In July 2012, Mission Australia Early Learning Services succeeded B4Kids as the contractor providing childcare to the centres.

*Indicates located on Base facilities.

ACT

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Centre

Address

Building

Russell Hill Early Childhood Centre

R8 Annex, Kelliher Drive Russell Offices, Canberra

1004/RDCCC

Kangaroo
Cottage Child Care Centre *

HMAS
Creswell 19 Benson Road,
Jervis
Bay

6020/019

NSW

New South Wales (NSW)

Centre

Address

Building

Little
Diggers Child Care Centre

Holsworthy
Barracks MacArthur Drive, Moorebank

0382/K049

Little
Eagles Child Care Centre *

Canberra
Ave RAAF Base
Richmond

0902/230

The
Blue House Outside School Hours Care *

RAAF
Base Richmond Wood Street, Richmond

0902/D59

Tingira
Child Care Centre *

HMAS
Albatross Bedford Ave, Nowra

6026/035

Kids
Crew Room Outside School Hours Care

HMAS
Albatross Bedford Ave, Nowra

6026/036

Williamtown
Child (Raymond Terrace) Care Centre

20a Kangaroo
Street, Raymond
Terrace

tba

VIC

Victoria (VIC)

Centre

Address

Building

Cerberus
Child Care Centre *

HMAS
Cerberus 12-14 Cook Road, Crib
Point

0066/A0356

East
Sale Child Care Centre *

RAAF
Base Heart Ave, East
Sale

0937/A0638

Williams
Child Care Centre *

RAAF
Base Williams 17 Campbell Parade, Laverton

0927/A0017

Puckapunyal
Child Care Centre,
Includes
OSHC *

Lone
Pine Cres, Puckapunyal
Military Area

0596/A1478

Victoria
Barracks Child Care Centre

32 Coventry
Rd, Southbank
Melbourne

1043/A0019

WA

Western Australia (WA)

Centre

Address

Building

The
Sunny Child Care Centre

50 Seaward
Ave, Swanbourne

0767/D0005

Flying
Start Child Care Centre *

RAAF
Base Pearce Brownwell Ave, Bullsbrook

0967/A0900

QLD

Queensland (QLD)

Centre

Address

Building

Enoggera
Child Care Centre

2
Taurama St
Enoggera

0129/B0050

Coral
Sea Child Care Centre

71
Bamford Lane, Kirwan
(Townsville)

1493/0001

NT

Northern Territory (NT)

Centre

Address

Building

Little
Geckos Child Care Centre *

RAAF
Base, Easton Parade, Tindal

0990/B1031

Big
Geckos Outside School Hours Care *

RAAF
Base, Easton Parade, Tindal

0990/B0240

Kids
Brigade Child Care Centre

Cnr
University Ave & Woodlake Blvd
Durack,
Palmerston NT

1561/A0001

More information

For more information about the Defence childcare centres, contact the Defence all-hours Defence Family Helpline in the first instance. You will be referred to a representative of Mission Australia Early Learning who will answer enquiries about daily operations of the centres, including enrolments.

Any complaints from parents should be directed to the Mission Australia Early Learning Centre Director, who will respond as appropriate. Mission Australia or DCO will take further action if necessary. The parent complaint and grievance policy is available at each Defence childcare centre.